Angry Obama rips Senate over background check failure

3 years ago

(Washington, DC) -- An angry President Obama is ripping a key Senate vote on gun control. In a White House statement, Obama accused a minority of senators of blocking "common sense" gun measures. He called it a "pretty shameful day for Washington." The statement came after a measure expanding federal gun background checks fell short of a 60 vote threshold in the 100 member Senate. Obama said the fight for sensible gun regulations will continue, calling the Senate vote "round one."

The background checks amendment was thought to have the best chance of passage among a number of measures aimed at curbing gun violence. Obama said expanded background checks has solid support from a majority of Americans. He accused the powerful gun lobby of willfully lying about the measure. He said most Republican senators and a few Democrats "caved to the pressure."

President Obama has been pushing lawmakers hard on gun violence since December's deadly school shooting spree in Newtown, Connecticut. Several Newtown victims' family members joined the President during his statement in the Rose Garden. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was also there. Giffords is still recovering from a serious head injury from a mass shooting in Tucson in 2011.